Mayor· 2024-11 - 2026-11 (month-level start: November 2024 per Nov 5, 2024 election and city roster '2024-2026 Term'; month-level end: November 2026 per city roster and next election Nov 2026)
Mark Behnke
Battle Creek
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Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 12
- Total speaking time
- 1:28:25
- Avg per meeting
- 7:22
- Segments
- 1936
Want every word Behnke has said?
The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Behnke said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.
Top issues during term (20)
Flock camera oversight and privacy
Public comment cited roughly $39,000 per year in program costs.
Lead hazard control funding for Calhoun County homes
$1,345,000 plus $62,000 in state grant funds, no local match noted.
Geislinger Corp. tax abatement hearing
About $604,752 in property taxes abated over 12 years, offset by roughly $721,020 still collected and $650,000 in estimated new annual payroll.
Abandoned properties and code enforcement
The speaker advocated slashing the Code Compliance budget.
Former officer investigation accountability
Unknown; an independent investigation could carry significant cost.
Smart traffic signal monitoring system
Roundabouts and a new fire station would be major capital costs, none quantified yet.
2027 employee and retiree healthcare plan renewals
Saves roughly 26% on an annually budgeted employee benefit.
FOIA transparency and Resolution 457
A $500,000 estimated rehabilitation project with a property tax exemption component.
High water bills and billing software
$60 per affected account, effective March 2027; the city has over $6 million in delinquent water balances across about 4,000 residents.
Administrative Hearings Bureau proposal
The city would keep 100% of blight fines instead of splitting them with the county; hearing officer contracts are an added cost.
Beachfield Drive driveway approaches
Cost of restoring driveway approaches not yet determined.
Liquor license transfer objection rejected
Commissioners warned blocking the transfer could suppress business investment in the city.
Sidewalk repair complaints and city responsiveness
Potential city liability for property damage from the fallen city-owned tree.
PILOT for Liberty Commons Apartments and Townhomes
Extends the payment-in-lieu-of-taxes arrangement rather than standard property taxes for the project.
2026 Strategic Plan and Commission goals
Training programs and a retreat would carry modest costs, but no figures were discussed.
Electric bike and scooter safety
Future of the Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center
Loss of the Federal Center's workforce would hurt downtown businesses and the local economy.
Police Taser equipment modernization
About $604,956 over five years, budgeted through the police department.
FY 2026-2027 City Budget
Shows how city revenues and spending are tracking halfway through the fiscal year.
Community Oversight Board appointment transparency
Taxpayers could see new costs for oversight, training, and compliance—or savings if the review prevents costly lawsuits.
Decisions during term (110)
Recorded while Behnke was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Consent Agenda (Minutes and City Manager's Report)
Resolution 490 — Public Hearing on Geislinger Corp. IFT Exemption
Resolution 491 — Consumers Energy Easement at 62 Yuba Street
Resolution 492 — Axon Taser 10 Contract Amendment
Resolution 493 — Glance Smart City Supervisory System
Resolution 494 — Mutual of Omaha Life Insurance Agreement
Resolution 495 — FOIA Appeal Extension (Added)
Reenactment of Ordinance 467 (adoption of Resolution 458)
Consent agenda approval
Resolution 479 (reenactment)
Resolution 480 (reenactment)
Resolution 481 (reenactment)
Resolution 482 — Public Act 152 80/20 option
Resolution 483 — self-funded health plan renewal
Resolution 484 — Medicare Advantage renewal
Resolution 485 — dental plan renewal
Resolution 486 — MERS/TACC joint transfer agreement
Resolution 487 — FOIA partial grant/partial denial affirmation
Resolution 488 — city attorney performance rating
Resolution 489 — closed session in Guach et al. v. City of Battle Creek
Voting record (163)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.